Mr SCOT MacDONALD(18:28): I pay tribute to the retiring mayor of Maitland, Mr Peter Blackmore, OAM, who is retiring after nearly 18 years as mayor. He did a previous stint as mayor from 1986 to 1990. In the time that I have known Peter, he has also been chair of the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund and the Hunter Councils. He has been on council a long time. I do need to pay tribute to Peter. He has been a rock of stability for Maitland. He has led Maitland through a wonderful period of growth and development, from a relatively small country town into a vibrant, well-performing regional city. Mayors are very important. When I have a mayor with an equally terrific general manager such as Mr David Evans, they are a pleasure to work with. I will say that Peter has been one of those people that I think has served the community very well. He was a member for Maitland from 1991 to 1999 and his performance was exemplary. I would like to think that this House could acknowledge the terrific work of Peter Blackmore, OAM, for his wonderful years of service.